Too Late Alpha The Mate He Never Wanted (Iris and Eric) novel Chapter 148

Chapter 148

“Don’t lie to me,” he snapped. “You saw an opportunity and you took it.”

I tried to explain over and over again. But he never listened and he never believed me.

When I found out I was pregnant weeks later, he accused me of trapping him.

**End of Flashback**

I was crying now. The tears came rushing down my face, blurring my vision.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Eric asked, his voice was thick with emotion.

I laughed bitterly through my tears. “Tell you? I tried, Eric. I tried so many times.’ My voice shook. “But you never listened. You were so fixated on your hate, on believing I was some manipulative woman who trapped you, that you never listened to anything I said.”

“Iris-”

“You called me a liar,” I continued, my voice rose. “You said I was manipulative. You said I played my cards right. You made me feel like I was the villain when I was the one who-”

My voice broke. “When I was the one who begged you to stop.”

I wiped my eyes roughly. “Jeremy was the only person I told what happened that night. He wanted to tell you, but when I found out I was pregnant, I made him promise not to tell you what really happened.”

“Because despite everything, that baby was a gift. And I didn’t want to taint it by labeling it a product of rape.”

Eric paled. “Iris-”

“I wanted Evie to be something pure,” I whispered. “Something good. Not a reminder of that night. So I kept quiet. And you kept blaming me.

His face crumpled. “I’m so sorry,” he whispered. “Iris, I’m so, so sorry.”

“You should be,” I said through gritted teeth.

He stepped closer. “I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness. I know that. But I’m asking for it anyway.” His voice was pleading now. “I’m begging you, Iris. Give me a chance to make this right.”

I wiped my face with the back of my hand. “Make it right? You can’t make it right,

Eric. Evie is gone. Our daughter is dead because of you.”

He flinched like I had slapped him. “I know,” he said hoarsely. “And I’ll carry that guilt for the rest of my life. But I want to try. I want to be better. Please.”

I shook my head. “I don’t know if I can do this.”

“I’ll be here for a week to finalize everything about the alliance,” he said quickly.” Give me a chance this week to show you I can be better, Iris. Just one week. And I swear you will never have cause to remember the hurt I caused you again. I swear it.” I swallowed hard. His eyes shone with so much sincerity. It was so painful to look at. I sighed. “And what will happen if I’m not convinced that you could be better?” He shrugged. “Whatever you want, Iris. If you want to come back with me, or you don’t, it’s your choice. I just…” He paused with a sigh. “I just want to try to make for my mistakes, even though I know it might not be possible. But I have to try.” I clenched my jaw. “You really think a week can undo years of damage?” “No,” he said, shaking his head. “But it’s a start. And if you tell me to leave after that, I’ll go. I swear it.”

I stared at him for a long moment. Part of me wanted to scream at him, to tell him to leave and never come back. But the tired broken part of me wanted to believe him.

Finally, I nodded. “Fine. One week.”

Relief washed over his face. “Thank you.”

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